A Dane County judge said Monday that he won't delay enforcement of his September ruling that overturned parts of the state's collective bargaining law while the state appeals it.

Circuit Judge Juan Colas said the state has not shown that it would suffer irreparable harm if his ruling, which restored collective bargaining rights to municipal and school district unions, was put on hold until a state appeals court decides whether to overturn the ruling.

On Sept. 14, Colas ruled that parts of the law are unconstitutional infringements on municipal and school district workers' right of free speech, freedom of association and equal protection. The law, which took effect in June 2011 after a tumultuous special legislative session and massive protests at the Capitol, had all but banned collective bargaining for most state, municipal and school workers. Colas' decision did not affect state workers, who were not a party to the lawsuit in which Colas ruled.

Colas wrote that issuing a stay that would put his decision on hold would allow continued violations of the state and federal constitutions, contrary to the public interest.